Method and apparatus for developing proper skating technique

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a belt, a first tension cord extending from the belt to a first skate, a second tension cord extending from the belt to a second skate, and a third tension cord coupled to the first skate and to the second skate and extending through a guide member supported by the belt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/550,883 filed on Mar. 5, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment and more specifically to a system and method of skate training.

BACKGROUND

A proper ice-skating technique can be hard to develop naturally. It can take many years to develop the four elements of a proper skating technique. These elements include a proper body position with knees bent and head up, a proper knee bend for full power, a full extension and recovery for maximum efficiency, and a toe snap to finish each stride. What is needed is a training device to help skaters develop a proper technique.

SUMMARY

One aspect provides an apparatus including a belt, a first tension cord extending from the belt to a first skate, a second tension cord extending from the belt to a second skate, and a third tension cord coupled to the first skate and to the second skate and extending through a guide member coupled to the belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a training device in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows further details of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a ring for the training device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a skate harness according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the skate harness of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the skate harness of FIG. 4 attached to a skate.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a tension member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a training device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a shin strap attachment in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a training device 10 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 1 shows device 10 from the rear as it would be worn by a skater. In FIG. 2 device 10 is shown laid out.

Device 10 can be used by hockey players or other ice skaters to correct and/or develop a proper skating technique. Device 10 generally includes a harness 12 to be worn by a player, and a plurality of tension cords 16, 18, and 20 coupled to the harness. In one embodiment, harness 12 includes a belt 14, a pair of shoulder straps 32, 34, and a crotch harness 30.

Belt 14 is for securing around a waist of the hockey player. A left side section 44 includes a strap 46 worn adjacent to the left hip of the hockey player and coupled to an end of tension cord 16. The belt also includes a right side section 48 worn adjacent to the right hip of the hockey player and includes a strap 49 coupled to an end of tension cord 18. Each section 44, 48 can include a foam-stuffed portion for comfort. In one embodiment, the sections 44, 48 are coupled at a central ring 70. Each section can include one or more Velcro sections 41, 43, 47 to close the belt. Some embodiments utilize buckles, also.

Shoulder straps 32, 34 are coupled to the belt 14. Shoulder straps 32, 34 can be adjustable and can include shoulder pads 36, 38 and buckles 40, 42 to couple with buckles 50, 52 on belt 14. In one example use, the shoulder straps are criss-crossed in front of the player wearing harness 12. Shoulder straps 32, 34 also attach to ring 70 at the rear of the belt and rest over the player's shoulders. As noted, the straps 32, 34 cross in the front of the skater and buckle at a front portion of the belt. This provides stability and core strengthening by correctly resisting against a skater's natural movements. Moreover, the crossed shoulder straps help keep the skater's upper body erect for heads up play and maneuverability.

Crotch harness portion 30 includes one or more straps 24, 26 each having a first end 25, 27 coupled to the front of belt 14 and a rear end coupled to a ring 70. Buckles 29, 31 can be utilized on each strap 24, 26 to adjust the size of the crotch harness. Straps 24, 26 run between the legs of the skater to the rear of the harness and are attached for size adjustment to double bar buckles 29, 31 which are sewn to ring 70.

Also coupled to harness 12 is a guide member 22 such as a D-ring. In other embodiments, the guide member can include an O-ring, a part of the harness, a part of the belt or a portion of the crotch harness 30.

First tension cord 16 is removably couplable to the belt and extends from the belt to a first skate 17. Second tension cord 18 removably couplable to the belt and extends from the belt to a second skate (not shown).

In one embodiment, third tension cord 20 is coupled to the first skate 17 and to the second skate. Third tension cord 20 extends through guide member 22, such as a D-ring, which is operatively coupled to the belt via crotch harness 30, for example.

Each tension cord 16, 18, 20, can include a stretchable, elastic cord, such as a bungee-type cord. Cords 16 and 18 have an unstretched length that is less than the distance between the belt and the skates. In some examples, the cords 16, 18, 20 can be shortened to provide more tension/resistance for increased strength training.

In one embodiment, harness 12 and tension cords 16, 18, and 20 are configured to ensure the correct body posture and proper body movements for training hockey players to have a proper ice skating technique as well as build muscles around these specific movements for hockey-style ice skating. Accordingly, device 10 helps correct and develop a proper skating technique with muscle memory conditioning as well as muscular development with tension cord resistance on each leg.

In this example, first tension cord 16 has a first end 54 coupled to strap 46 at a side of the belt 14 and a second end 55 coupled to an outside of the first skate 17. A skate harness 72 coupled to the skate can be used to attach the ends of the tension cords to the skates. The second tension cord 18 has a first end 56 coupled to strap 49 at an opposite side of the belt and a second end 57 coupled to an outside of the second skate using a skate harness, for example. Each tension cord 16, 18, 20 can include a clip 59, such as a carbineer clip, at each end of the cord.

Third tension cord 20 includes a first end 80 coupled to the inside of the first skate via skate harness 72 and a second end 82 coupled to the inside of the second skate via a skate harness. Tension cord 20 extends through guide member 22. Guide member 22 is centrally located relative to a body of a person wearing the belt. For example, guide member 22 supports the third tension cord 20 proximate a crotch of a player wearing the belt. Cord 20 is not attached to guide member 22. Instead the guide member 22 supports and guides the cord as it translates back and forth through the member as the skater skates.

Harness 12 further includes central ring 70, also shown in FIG. 3. The harness 12 is constructed such that the central ring 70 is the central tension point of the members of the harness. For example, shoulder straps 32, 34 include a first end 86 coupled to the ring and a second end couplable to the belt. The belt 14 includes first belt section 44 having an end 45 coupled to the ring 70 and second belt section 48 having an end 51 coupled to the ring. The crotch harness portion includes straps 24, 26 having a first end coupled to the belt and a second end 33, 35 coupled to the ring 70.

Accordingly, all of the straps of harness 12 are attached at a central location in the middle rear portion of the belt via ring 70. This centralized attachment structure relieves any tension or stress caused by the stretched cords 16, 17, or 18 as the skater skates. This central attachment also helps prevent injury and promotes the correct body posture for hockey-style ice skating and allows for free range of motion.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show a skate harness 72 in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view of the skate harness, FIG. 5 is a bottom view, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the harness 72 coupled to a skate 17.

Skate harness 72 includes a front portion 104 which includes Velcro portions 106, 104 to attach around the front part of skate 17. Skate harness 72 also includes a rear portion 110 including first and second coupling sections 112, 114. Tension cords 16 and 20 removably attached to coupling sections 112, 114 using clips 59. In one embodiment, harness 72 can include a strap 116 on both the inside and outside of the foot harness to couple between front portion 104 and rear portion 110. By coupling tension cords 16, 20 proximate the ankle area of the skate, the skate harness helps generate a toe snap to finish the skating stride. Moreover strap 116 also promotes a proper toe snap.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a tension cord 18. The other tension cords can include similar features. Tension cord 18 can include an adjustment member 150 to allow for lengthening or shortening the operative length of a cord 18. This allows any of cords 16, 18, or 20 to be adjusted to provide different tension by adjusting the functional length of the cord. In this example, cord 18 includes a first ferrule 152 and a second ferrule 154. First ferrule 152 includes one side 155 crimped to cord 18. Stretching the cord allows for it to be pulled though the normally smaller hole of the ferrules. Pushing a stop 156 in place and releasing the tension in the cord locks it into place.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in use a player puts on the harness 12 such that the belt 14 is around their waist and the shoulder straps 32, 34 criss-cross in front of the skater and are attached to the front of the belt by buckles 40, 42 or other means. The first tension cord 16 is attached to the belt and to an outside of the first skate. In a like manner the second tension cord 18 is attached to the belt and to the outside of a second skate. Third tension cord 20 extends through guide member 22 and has a first end coupled to the inside of the skate and a second end coupled to the inside of the second skate.

When the skate pushes off to begin a skating stride the right leg extends to the side and back of the player. This applies tension on stretchable cords 20 and 18. The tension from cord 20 is transferred to left (gliding) skate 17. This tension of cord 20 along with the tension of cord 16 urges the players left knee to bend properly and promotes the proper posture. As the player finishes the extension of their right leg, the combined tensions of cords 20 and 18 then urge the proper recovery of the right leg to a central position. The stride is then repeated with the left leg being the extending/recovery leg, and the right leg being the gliding leg.

The resistance of the stretchable tension cords 16, 18, 20 ensures that while skating, the forward moving leg is always brought back to the middle and fully bent position. The resistance of each stretched cord also promotes full extension of each stride and/or offers resistance to other movements made while skating or turning in order to move forward or backwards. In general, device 10 teaches the proper skating technique by putting the skater in the correct body position with knees bent over toes, shoulders forward and even with knees, back straight, and head and chest up.

The combination of the proper body movements and resistance also gives the player the advantage of muscle memory conditioning. The device allows for training of a proper skating technique with a more efficient and powerful stride as well as promotes good body posture for enhanced core strength leading to better strength, balance, agility, and speed.

FIG. 8 shows another device 200 in accordance with one embodiment. In this example, tension cord 20 does not pass though a ring as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2. Instead, the cord passes through the leg straps 24, 26 of the crotch harness 30. Accordingly, straps 24, 26 act as the guide member for tension cord 20.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a shin strap attachment 300, in accordance with one embodiment. Shin strap attachment 300 includes a strap 310 which wraps around a shin guard below the knee of a skater. A buckle 330 can be used to tighten the strap and Velcro section 320, 325 are provided to hold the strap to around the leg of the skater. Shin strap attachment 300 can include a guiding member 340, such as a D-ring. A skater wears one of these shin strap attachments on each leg and extends the outside tension cords 16, 18 (See FIG. 1) through the guide member 340 of each attachment member. These additional guiding members help work the forward moving leg against the resistance of cords 16, 18 to further develop muscles strength and help develop the proper skating technique.

It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a belt; a first tension cord extending from the belt to a first skate; a second tension cord extending from the belt to a second skate; and a third tension cord coupled to the first skate and to the second skate and extending through a guide member supported by the belt.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a pair of shoulder straps coupled to the belt.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member includes a portion of a crotch harness coupled to the belt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member includes a ring supported by the belt.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tension cord has a first end coupled to a side of the belt and a second end coupled to an outside of the first skate and the second tension cord has a first end coupled to an opposite side of the belt and a second end coupled to an outside of the second skate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the third tension cord includes a first end coupled to the inside of the first skate and a second end coupled to the inside of the second skate.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, including a first skate harness coupled to the first skate to receive the second end of the first tension cord and the first end of the third tension cord, and a second skate harness coupled to the second skate to receive the second end of the second tension cord and the second end of the third tension cord.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member is centrally located relative to a body of a person wearing the belt.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first tension cord extends through a second guide member on a first leg of a skater and the second tension cord extends through a third guide member on a second leg of the skater.
 10. An apparatus comprising: a harness including a belt, a pair of shoulder straps, and a crotch harness portion; and at least two tension cords extending from the belt to a pair of skates; wherein the harness includes a ring, with each shoulder strap having a first end coupled to the ring and a second end couplable to the belt, and the belt includes a first belt section having an end coupled to the ring and a second belt section coupled to the ring, and the crotch harness portion includes at least one strap having a first end coupled to the belt and a second end coupled to the ring.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, including a third tension cord coupled to and extending between the pair of skates.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third tension cord extends through a guide member coupled to the harness.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide member is centrally located relative to a body of a person wearing the belt.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guide member supports the third tension cord proximate a crotch of a player wearing the harness.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide member includes a portion of the crotch harness.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide member includes a ring coupled to the crotch harness.
 17. A method comprising: providing a belt for wearing while skating, the belt having a first tension cord extending from the belt to a first skate and a second tension cord extending from the belt to a second skate; guiding a third tension cord extending through a guide member supported by the belt and having a first end coupled to the first skate and a second end coupled to the second skate, the third tension cord and the guide member are configured to apply tension between the first skate and the second skate so as to urge a knee of a first leg to bend when the a second leg is extended; and applying tension between the first skate and the belt to urge the knee of the first leg to bend.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein guiding the third tension cord extending through the guide member includes guiding the third tension cord through a ring supported by the belt.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein guiding the third tension cord extending through the guide member includes guiding the third tension cord through the guide member proximate a crotch of a player wearing the belt. 